OCR GCSE Computer Science Revision Resources (J277)
Scheme of learning
Typical GCSE lesson
J277/01 Computer Systems
J277/02 Computational thinking, algorithms and programming
Programming Resources
More resources
Free resources
Computer Science GCSE (J277) Resources
Created by experienced Computer Science teachers, these 88 revision videos cover every learning objective in the OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (J277). Each video is carefully crafted to match the exact requirements of the spec — not generic content, but precisely targeted material pitched at the right level to support students aiming for the highest grades.
Whether you are working through Component 01 (Computer Systems) or Component 02 (Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming), you will find a dedicated video for each topic. Every video runs to around 12 minutes — detailed enough to cover the essential content, concise enough to hold attention. Students can pause, rewind and rewatch at any time, making them ideal for independent study, catching up on missed lessons, or targeted revision in the run-up to exams.
Our videos contain all the content students need to achieve top grades in their Computer Science GCSE, as proven by year-on-year results and student feedback. We also update our videos regularly as we learn more from past papers, so the content always reflects what matters most in the examination.
How to use these videos
For students — Use these videos alongside scaffolded note-taking. When you see the take-notes icon on screen, pause and write down what is shown. Keeping notes in an exercise book as you watch each video builds a complete set of revision materials you can return to throughout your course.
For teachers — These videos are designed for the flipped classroom. Set a video as homework, and students arrive at the next lesson having already encountered the content. This frees up classroom time for deeper discussion, problem-solving and addressing misconceptions — and ensures every student starts the lesson from the same foundation. The videos also serve as excellent CPD for teachers looking to build their confidence in specific topics.
Pair with Smart Revise
Once students have watched the videos, the next step is to lock in that knowledge through retrieval practice. Smart Revise — winner of the Teach Secondary Awards 2025 for Curriculum Improvement — is designed to do exactly that. Used by over 200,000 students and teachers across the UK, Smart Revise supports OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277) and has been proven to raise grades by embedding spaced repetition throughout the year. Students who use it regularly have reported improvements of up to two grades.
Videos by topic — OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277)
All 88 videos are organised by specification topic. Select a topic below to access the videos for that unit.
Component 01 — Computer Systems
1.1 – Systems architecture Covers the purpose of the CPU, the fetch-execute cycle, CPU components and their function, Von Neumann architecture, characteristics of CPUs including clock speed, cores and cache, and embedded systems. View videos →
1.2 – Memory and storage Covers primary storage (RAM and ROM), secondary storage, the need for both, units of storage, data storage (numbers, text, images and sound), and compression. View videos →
1.3 – Computer networks, connections and protocols. Covers the internet and networks, network topologies, wired and wireless networks, protocols, and network hardware. View videos →
1.4 – Network security covers cyber security threats, social engineering, malicious code, detection and prevention, and how to keep networks secure. View videos →
1.5 – Systems software covers the purpose and functionality of operating systems, utility software, and the role of systems software in managing hardware and software resources. View videos →
1.6 – Ethical, legal, cultural and environmental concerns. Covers the impact of digital technology on society, ethical issues, legal issues, including relevant legislation, cultural impact, and environmental concerns. View videos →
Component 02 — Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming
2.1 – Algorithms cover computational thinking (abstraction, decomposition, algorithmic thinking), searching algorithms (linear and binary search), and sorting algorithms (bubble, merge, insertion). View videos →
2.2 – Programming fundamentals Covers variables, constants, operators, inputs and outputs, selection, iteration, and string handling — the core building blocks of writing programs. View videos →
2.3 – Producing robust programs covers defensive design, testing (including types of testing and test plans), and the importance of writing maintainable code. View videos →
2.4 – Boolean logic Covers Boolean logic, logic gates, truth tables, and logic circuits — essential knowledge for both Component 01 and Component 02. View videos →
2.5 – Programming languages and IDEs Covers the characteristics of programming languages, the role of translators (compilers and interpreters), and the features of an integrated development environment (IDE). View videos →
About Craig ‘n’ Dave
Craig ‘n’ Dave was founded by Craig Sargent and Dave Hillyard — two Computer Science teachers with over 25 years of classroom experience between them, both holding degrees in Computer Science. Their YouTube videos have attracted over 22 million views, and their classroom resources are used in over 1,000 schools across the UK.
The Student Stream videos were created using a flipped classroom approach and are built around the precise requirements of each specification. They are not repurposed generic content — every video is written to match a specific bullet point of the OCR GCSE Computer Science J277 specification, ensuring students study exactly what they need and nothing extraneous.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is covered in OCR GCSE Computer Science (J277)?
The OCR GCSE Computer Science specification (J277) is divided into two components. Component 01 covers Computer Systems — including systems architecture, memory and storage, networks, network security, systems software, and ethical and legal issues. Component 02 covers Computational Thinking, Algorithms and Programming — including algorithms, programming fundamentals, robust programming, Boolean logic, and programming languages. Our 88 videos cover every topic across both components.
Are the videos matched to the OCR J277 specification?
Yes. Every video is carefully written to meet the exact requirements of the OCR GCSE Computer Science J277 specification. We do not produce generic Computer Science content — each video corresponds to specific learning objectives within the spec. We also update videos regularly as we learn from past papers.
How long are the videos?
Each video is approximately 12 minutes long — enough to cover the essential content of each topic without being overwhelming. Students can pause and rewatch as many times as they need.
Can I use these videos for flipped classroom teaching? Absolutely. The Student Stream videos were designed with the flipped classroom approach in mind. Students watch a video and take Cornell notes as homework, then bring that knowledge into the classroom. This approach has been shown to speed up lessons, cover more content, and give teachers more time to work with individual students on challenging concepts.
How do these videos support revision?
The videos are ideal for revision when used alongside Smart Revise, our award-winning course companion. Smart Revise uses spaced repetition and retrieval practice to help students consolidate what they have learned from the videos and identify knowledge gaps before their Computer Science GCSE exams.
Do the videos contain enough content to achieve top grades?
Yes. Our videos contain all the content students need to achieve the highest grades in their Computer Science GCSE, without the need for additional textbooks. This is confirmed by student results and feedback each year.
Change log
- 25/02/26 – Update to the scheme of learning.
- 29/11/24 – SLR 2.4 Workbook Answers.pptx
Corrected slide 14, activity 16 column F third from bottom from 1 to 0.
Not uploaded yet. - 20/04/23 – SLR 2.1 Workbook.pptx & Workbook Answers.pptx
Updated code examples to be more consistent with either Python syntax or reference language. - 20/04/23 – SLR 2.2 Workbook.pptx & Workbook Answers.pptx
Updated code examples to be more consistent with either Python syntax or reference language. - 18/04/23 – SLR 1.6 Lesson 1 – Ethical issues.pptx
Updated link to ethical debate as the original website is no longer available. - 18/04/23 – Paper 2 exam revision unit TEST – Trace table exercise 7
Removed 1 from the output tests because 1 is not prime. - 18/04/23 – SLR 2.5 Programming languages and IDEs
Changed lesson 3 to include an easier emulator and a better syntax error. - 09/11/22 – SLR 2.2 Programming fundamentals
Fixed a slide reference error on slide 11.
Added model solution for super challenge. - 01/02/22 – Telium text adventure game programming project
Significant upgrade to all aspects. - 15/12/21 – SLR 2.4 Boolean logic Test Answers.docx
Corrected a minor error in the headings of the truth table for question 1. Does not affect the test. - 25/11/21 – SLR 1.2 Memory and storage
Numerous minor updates and tweaks - 25/11/21 – SLR 2.2 Programming fundamentals
Numerous minor updates and tweaks - 25/11/21 – PowerPoints updated to correct minor mistakes:
- GCSE OCR 1.2 Converting between denary and 2-digit hexadecimal.pptx
- GCSE OCR 1.4 Forms of attack.pptx
- GCSE OCR 1.6 Impacts of digital technology on wider society.pptx
- 30/8/21 – Schemes of learning
All calendars and schemes of learning updated. - 05/03/21 – SLR 2.5 Programming languages and IDEs
LMC tasks were missing the answers in this SLR. The activities have been updated and now also include answers. Note they are the same as the resources in OCR H046 & H446 so learners can continue with the challenges. Many are beyond the expectation for GCSE for challenge. Completing the beginner’s problems would be enough for GCSE. - 01/12/20 – SLR 1.2 workbook (part 2).pptx
3 missing triominoes on slide 13. Fixed. - 25/11/20 – SLR 1.2 workbook (part 2).pptx
Sampling activity included answers on the slide. Fixed. - 11/10/20 – SLR 1.3 workbook.pptx & 1.3 workbook answers.pptx
Update to specification for DNS. Included. - 11/10/20 – SLR 2.2 workbook.pptx & 2.2 workbook answers.pptx
Update to specification for 2D array emulating records and fields. Included.
Update to specification for identification of local variable, global variable, arrays (passing and returning). Included. - 11/10/20 – Paper 2 exam revision unit: OCR Reference language guide (exam pseudocode).docx
Updates to requirements. Included.